Konami developers made personal sacrifices to bring the PC release date for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain in line with the console edition. According to senior producer Ken-ichiro Imaizumi, Konami engineers gave up their summer vacations to bring the release date forward by two weeks.

"PC launch day earlier than original plan," he said, referencing the game's move from September 15 to September 1. "Our programmers didn't take summer vacation to make it happen.. kinda sad."

Imaizumi went on to say that even though it was hard work, the team enjoyed being able to get the job done. But at the same time, "Obviously, their families are not happy :-(" he said.

"When it comes to storytelling, there has never been a Metal Gear game that's so consistent in tone, daring in subject matter, and so captivating in presentation," critic Peter Brown said. "The Phantom Pain may be a contender for one of the best action games ever made, but is undoubtedly the best Metal Gear game there is."